Over 2.6 lakh pilgrims have visited the Amarnath shrine in just 12 days, despite recent terror attacks in the Jammu region.
Devotees from across the country flock daily to the Amarnath Yatra base camp, chanting slogans like "Bam Bam Bhole" and "Har Har Mahadev." From here, they begin their journey to the shrine at 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
Expressing grief over the terror attacks on Army personnel and pilgrims, the Amarnath Yatris, however, said they had no fear as they had full faith in Lord Shiva.
The 52-day annual pilgrimage started on June 29 on two routes: the traditional 48-km route from Nunwan in Pahalgam and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The Yatra is scheduled to end on August 19, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
For the past week, between 4,600 and 6,500 pilgrims have been leaving Jammu daily for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam.
“There is no such thing as fear or terror, as we are on our way to Amarnath to pay obeisance at the cave shrine. Bholenath is with us. We do not fear anything or anyone. We have reached Jammu today and will leave from here tomorrow,” said one of the Yatri from Indore.
Over the past month, terrorists targeted four locations in Kathua, Doda, Reasi, and Udhampur districts, killing 15 people, including nine pilgrims and six security personnel, and injuring 46 others.
In light of the recent attacks, the administration has bolstered security around Yatra routes, particularly the National Highway and critical sensitive areas, to protect pilgrims from potential terrorist threats.
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